The Groove

From Limerick The Groove were a five piece featuring Alan Cheevers (guitar & vocals), Paul Healy (vocals & guitar), Bryan Healy (bass), Charlie Smith (trumpet) and Brendan Wallace (drums). The band won the RTE Borderline band of 1987 competition and as part of their prize released a single ‘Blue Blue Monday’ on EMI Records which reached 19 in the Irish charts. That same year also saw the band performing at one of Ireland’s biggest open air gigs supporting David Bowie at Slane. Sadly Alan Cheevers passed away in 2000. They recorded one Fanning session on 20th May 1986 featuring three tracks; ‘Since You’ve Gone’, ‘Skin Deep and ‘Another Number’ which we have yet to track down. Check out the Limerick Library archive for more rock articles.

Preacher’s Paradise (1988)

The Fat Lady Sings – Man Scared (1988)

This particular recording by The Fat Lady Sings was presumably made live in studio while the band were interviewing with Dave Fanning.

Man Scared (1988)

The Screech Owls – Sniper On The Freeway

Recorded from the Dave Fanning show this track may or may not come from the demo pictured above. The Screech Owls were Debbie Schow (vocals, guitar) and Richard G. Evans (guitars). Special guests on the demo at least were Brian Neavyn (bass) and Dave Burke (drums) of The Slowest Clock. Check out Hey Toreador here.

Sniper On The Freeway (1988)

Interference (1988 Session)

Interference in 2007 – Fergus O’Farrell, Paul Tiernan, Marja Gaynor, Bertrand Galen (c) Jason Lee

In 1988 as far as I can make out Interference were Fergus O’Farrell (vocals, piano & guitar), James O’Leary (guitars,) Maurice Culligan (piano, keyboards), Kevin Murphy (bass, cello), Cal MacCarthy (drums), Colm McCaughey (fiddle). They recorded this Fanning session on 10th February 1988. Also worth checking out is ‘A Talent for Life – The Fergus O’Farrell Story‘ an RTE Radio 1 documentary.

Interference (1988) courtesy Interference Archive

Raise The Blade (1988)

Ordinary Man (1988)

Perfection (1988)

One Deaf Ear – Mother’s Day (1986)

Don’t have many details of this recording from One Deaf Ear but an RTE Visual Eyes recording of ‘True Colours‘ was popular so you might enjoy hearing this. From Belfast the band were Michael Madden (vocals, guitar), Brian O’Cuinn (bass, synths), Sean Quinn (synths, vocals, sampler) and Gerard Campbell (drums).

Mother’s Day (1986)

Fanning’s Fab 50 (2013)

50 black keys – gold on the ceiling (2011)
49 o emperor – contact (2013)
48 beth orton – call me the breeze (2012)
47 little green cars – harper lee (2013)
46 pixies – debaser (1989)
45 villagers – becoming a jackal (2010)
44 killers – smile like you mean it (2004)
43 the national – afraid of everyone (2010)
42 the frames – revelate (1995)
41 pearl jam – black (1991)
40 u2 – beautiful day (2000)
39 massive attack – unfinished symphony (1991)
38 artic monkeys – do i wanna know (2013)
37 lcd soundsystem – all my friends (2007)
36 hozier – take me to church (2013)
35 arcade fire – reflektor (2013)
34 led zeppelin – stairway to heaven (1971)
33 new order – blue monday (1983)
32 midlake – roscoe (2006)
31 pink floyd – comfortably numb (1979)
30 the national – demons (2013)
29 bruce springsteen – thunder road (1975)
28 depeche mode – personal jesus (1990)
27 rolling stones – sympathy for the devil (1968)
26 lou reed – walk on the wild side (1972)
25 hot chip – boy from school (2006)
24 my bloody valentine – sometimes (1991)
23 david bowie – life on mars? (1971)
22 stone roses – i am the resurrection (1989)
21 smashing pumpkins – 1979 (1995)
20 bruce springsteen – born to run (1975)
19 arcade fire – wake up (2004)
18 the white stripes – seven nation army (2003)
17 nirvana – smells like teen spirit (1991)
16 rolling stones – gimme shelter (1969)
15 radiohead – paranoid android (1997)
14 the smiths – how soon is now (1984)
13 smashing pumpkins – bullet with butterfly wings (1995)
12 pink floyd – wish you were here (1975)
11 u2 – with or without you (1987)
10 the beatles – a day in the life (1967)
9 the smiths – there is a light that never goes out (1986)
8 elbow – one day like this (2008)
7 the national – fake empire (2007)
6 jeff buckley – hallelujah (1994)
5 daft punk – get lucky (2013)
4 joy division – love will tear us apart (1990)
3 u2 – one (1997)
2 u2 – bad (live) (1985)
1 radiohead – creep (1993)

Holiday TV & Radio Highlights (2013)

Like turkey & ham the RTE Guide is a Christmas tradition round these parts but finding the juicy bits sometimes takes a bit of work. Here are some of highlights from the 2013 edition. As you might guess end of year roundups feature strongly, if there is anything missing you know what to do.

Radio
Monday December 23rd
9am-midday, Ray D’Arcy Show, featuring live sessions recorded during 2013 (TodayFM)
8pm-10pm, Fannings Fab 50, part 1 (RTÉ 2fm)

Tuesday December 24th
7-10pm, Fannings Fab 50, part 2 (RTÉ 2fm)

Thursday December 26th
3pm-4pm, Belfast Songlines, Stuart Bailie takes listeners around the scenes evoked by Van Morrison songs (lyricfm)
5pm-6pm, Whiskey in the Jar The Eric Bell Story (RTÉ Radio 1)
8pm-9.30pm, Take Me To Church: Other Voices, Cathal Murray takes a trip to Dingle to investigate what happens when Other Voices comes to town (RTÉ Radio 1)

Friday December 27th
4.30pm-6pm, Radio 1 Live Cathal Murray hosts a look at the very best live music performances from 2013 (RTÉ Radio 1)

Saturday December 28th
7pm-8pm, One Piece At A Time, Miss Paula Flynn looks at the different sides of Johnny Cash (RTÉ Radio 1)

Monday December 30th
2pm-3pm, Black on Blue: Mary’s Tribute to Joni, Mary Black pays tribute to the life and music of Joni Mitchell featuring contributions from Wallis Bird, Gemma Hayes, Roisin O (RTE Radio 1)
7pm-9pm, The Best of the TodayFM Sessions with Colm O’Sullivan (TodayFM)

Tuesday December 31st (New Year’s Eve)
2pm-3pm, Final Partings, Jim Lockhart and guests look back at some of the rock pioneers we lost in 2013 including Lou Reed and Phil Chevron (RTÉ Radio 1)
9pm-12.15, New Year’s Eve Concert at Dublin’s College Green featuring Madness, The Strypes, Ryan Sheridan, Seo Linn (RTÉ Radio 1)

TV

Wednesday December 25th
7.50pm, Ceol Johnny Cash, featuring Republic of Loose , Fiachna Ó Braonáin and The Hot Sprockets, Eleanor McEvoy (TG4)

Friday December 27th
9.50pm-10.50pm, Dermot Morgan – Fearless Funnyman, a selection of Dermot’s family and admirers, including Pat Shortt, Oliver Callan and Pauline McLynn, look back on the comedian’s life (RTÉ One)

Saturday December 28th
9.15pm-9.45pm, Ceol Hank Wiliams, featuring Jack L, Mundy, Lumiere (TG4)

Tuesday December 31st (New Year’s Eve)
8.50pm-9.50pm, Ceol Patsy Cline, featuring Brian Kennedy, John Spillane, Kila (TG4)

Wednesday January 1st (New Year’s Day)
9.15pm-9.45pm, Ceol ar an Imeall Don Nollaig, special edition of the Una Mullally hosted music show looks back at some of the 100 bands who have featured and what to expect in the new season (TG4)

The Ramones (1985 Interview)

In June 1985 Dave Fanning interviewed one of his self professed favourite bands The Ramones. The band was in Dublin to play two gigs in the TV Club on June 24th and 25th as part of their ‘Too Tough To Die’ tour. The original recording can be found here.

The Ramones (1985 Interview)

David Long (Dan Hegarty 2fm Session 2/12/13)

On 2nd December 2013 Dan Hegarty broadcast an all new session from David Long of Into Paradise. David was accompanied in Studio 8 by Joe Fahey of Luggage. Here’s what the RTE 2fm website wrote:

It’s quite likely that David Long’s album ‘Water Has Memory’ won’t feature alongside names like Arcade Fire, Rudimental, and Foals in the numerous end of year album polls. Don’t let that put you off; Long’s debut ranks among the finest domestic albums of the year. After spending the late 1980s and early 1990s as vocalist with Into Paradise, David Long returned with new songs, and a new sound.

Dog Times (2013)

Since Yesterday (2013)

Antelope (2013)

On Waiting (2013)

Paul Cleary (2013 Interviews)

Photo (c) Sunday Times

George Byrne, Irish Independent (22/11/2013)
Declan Lynch, Sunday Independent (24/11/2013)
RTE.ie (24/11/2013)

Tom Dunne, Newstalk (4/12/2013)

Ray D’Arcy Show, TodayFM (28/11/2013)

John Caddell, ‘Finest Worksongs’ Phantom FM (28/11/2013)

Fanning’s Fab 50 (1989)

It’s that time of the year folks – voting is now open for Fanning’s Fab 50. I do wish Dave would restrict voting to music released in the last 12 months, next best thing would be for bands to put the word out to their fanbase that they cast a vote for a particular track, isn’t it time that the Fab50 got some social media pimping?

Today we have two sections of the 1989 Fab 50 for your listening pleasure. Part one alone is worth checking out for Golden Horde frontman Simon Carmody’s guest appearance fresh from a Van Morrison gig to give an impromptu review!

If anyone has any further Fab 50 contibutions either recordings or listings please get in touch..

50 Pink Floyd – Another Brick In The Wall
49 The Primitives – Sick Of It
[ Simon Carmody reviews Van Morrison ]
48 Morrissey – Ouija Board
47 The Clash – Lost In The Supermarket
46 The Cult – Fire Woman
45 Bob Dylan – Desolation Row
44 Sugarcubes – Birthday
43 Sex Pistols – My Way
42 R.E.M. – Finest Worksong
41 Jimi Hendrix – All Along The Watchtower

Fab 50 (1989) Part 1

40 The Wonderstuff – Unbearable
39 The Beatles – Strawberry Fields Forever
38 Lou Reed – Walk on the Wild Side
37 Thin Lizzy – The Boys are Back in Town
36 U2 – Unforgettable Fire
35 The Smiths – How Soon is Now?
34 The Waterboys – The Whole of the Moon
33 John Lennon – Imagine
32 U2 – New Year’s Day
31 The Doors – Light My Fire
30 The Hothouse Flowers – Don’t Go
29 A House – Call Me Blue
28 The Wedding Present – Kennedy (via comment)
27 Talking Heads – Psychokiller
26 Van Morrison – Coney Island
25 The Stone Roses – She Bangs the Drums
24 Simple Minds – Belfast Child
23 U2 – With or Without You
22 Something Happens – Beach
21 The Cure – Catch
20 The Smiths – This Charming Man
19 The Jesus and Mary Chain – Some Candy Talking
18 The Golden Horde – 100 Boys
17 R.E.M. – It’s the End of the World
16 The Dead Milkmen – Punk Rock Girl
15 The Dixons – I Have Fun
14 The 4 of Us – Drag My Bad Name Down
13 U2 – The Sweetest Thing
12 The Pogues – Thousands Are Sailing
11 Waterboys – Raggle Taggle Gypsy
10 New Order – Blue Monday
09 The Smiths – What Difference Does It Make
08 An Emotional Fish – Gray Matter
07 The Fat Lady Sings – Arclight
06 Something Happens – Forget Georgia
05 R.E.M. – World Leader Pretend
04 U2 – Dancing Barefoot
03 The Cure – A Forest
02 Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart
01 U2 – Bad (Live)

Fab 50 (1989) Part 2

Indian (1996 Session)

From Sligo, Indian recorded a Fanning session on 30/11/1996 which was produced by Ian Wilson. The band lineup was Martin Harte (keyboards), Joseph Hunt (lead vocals), Christy Behan (drums, vocals), Gerry Sweeney (lead guitar), Leon Donnellon (bass) and Declan Harrison (semi-acoustic guitar). Martin and Joe were previously in Absolute Zero, while Christy was a member of Those Nervous Animals. The band were active from 1995 until 2000 and have just announced their first gig in 15 years on 21st December 2013 in Shenanigans of Sligo.

Lonesome Heart Attack (1996)

Space Walkin Girl (1996)

Bang Bang Gun (1996)

Beautiful (1996)

Raw Novembre (1993 Session)

From Mullingar, Raw Novembre were formed by Martin Kelly (vocals), Kevin Kelly (guitar & bass), John Jackson (drums), Kelvyn Stanley (bass). Paddy Muldarry (drums) later took over from John.

Execution (1993)

God And Me And Liberty (1993)

Nothingness (1993)

Pet Lamb (1993 Session)

From Dublin, Pet Lamb were at the time of this recording – Brian Mooney (vocals, guitar), Dylan Philips (vocals, guitar), Kevin Talbot (bass) and James Lillis (drums). Update: Thank you Paul Shanahan for the missing track ‘I Got Played’.

I Got Played (1993)

Insult To Injury (1993)

In A Pit (1993)

Grinning Sadist (1993)

Joni Mitchell Interview (1983)

To celebrate Joni Mitchell’s 70th birthday and the 30th anniversary of her one and only Irish appearance Dave Fanning ran an excerpt of a 1983 interview he did with Joni. The full transcript of the interview appeared in Hot Press magazine and is reproduced here. If anyone has a recording of the full interview we’d love to hear from you.

Joni Mitchell Interview (15 April 1983)

Update: Today Dave rebroadcast a 36 minute version of his Joni Mitchell interview from 1983 which we have linked to below. 

Joni Mitchell Interview (20 Feb 2022 rebroadcast)

Alpha Squared

Alpha Squared recorded a Fanning session on 18/06/1986 featuring two tracks; ‘Pictures and Portraits’ and ‘Stone Walls & Stone Hearts’. I believe this recording is from 1985 and so possibly is a demo version?

Pictures and Portraits (1985?)

Without The

From Cork this much loved three piece featured Harry (guitar), Don Murphy (bass) and John Christie (drums). Further details most welcome.. will update as I get them.

Elaine (1986?)

Mark Mulcahy on Tom Dunne Show

If you’re a fan of jangle rock I recommend you check out Mark Mulcahy. Mulcahy began his career as lead singer and co-founding member of Miracle Legion and after an eight year break Mark is back with a new album ‘Dear Mark J Mulcahy I Love You‘. He is currently on an Irish tour and plays the final date at 7pm in DeBarra’s of Clonakilty tomorrow night. While in Ireland, Mark and co-conspirarator Ken Maiuri recorded sessions for Tom Dunne (Newstalk), Paul McLoone (TodayFM) and Dan Hegarty (RTE 2fm).

Mark Mulcahy on Tom Dunne Show (2013)

Red Square (Demos)

From Dublin, Red Square were Barry Moore (guitar & vocals), Niall Conheady (guitar), Paul Holmes (bass) and Dave Bell RIP (drums). According to the Irish Rock Discography the band recorded at least one Fanning session featuring tracks ‘Street Fight’, ‘Trains’ and ‘Soweto’. In 1987 Barry moved to the U.S. and began performing as Luka Bloom. Luka is currently on tour. Paul Holmes was later in Swim, anyone got their Fanning session?

Passionate Robot (demo)

Spiders

Street Fight

Microdisney (Unidentified Tape)

The following tracks by Microdisney turned up on the same cassette that featured the recently posted Cypress Mine! session so that puts the date of broadcast circa 1986. Both tracks appeared on ‘Everybody Is Fantastic’ (1984), ‘Dig Me Up’ reworked as ‘Dreaming Drains’. The first 3 Microdisney were recently reissued on Cherry Red Records featuring Peel session tracks and B sides. Two further previously unavailable tracks ‘Victory’ and ’12 Novembers’ can be found on the Reekus Records compilation ‘Too Late To Stop Now‘.

Dig Me Up

Idea

Belsonic Sound (1986 Session)

From Cork, Belsonic Sound were Finny Corcoran (guitar & vocals), Gene Russel (bass), Jim O’Mahony (keyboards) and John McCormack (drums). This is the first of two Fanning sessions the band recorded, Jim has the other so hopefully will be able to post that soon.

Long Defeat (1986)

Blinded (1986)

Seperate Reality (1986)

Philip Chevron (1957 – 2013)

http://www.theradiators.tv/

Philip Chevron, one of Ireland’s best loved musicians died yesterday at the age of 56 after a long battle with cancer. The Dublin born musician was a member of the The Radiators from Space & The Pogues. Cait O’Riordan talks to Miriam O’Callaghan about this very special man & his life.

RTE Radio 1 John Murray Show

Cait O’Riordan on the death of Phil Chevron of The Pogues at the age of 56.

RTE Radio 1 Arena

The start of Dave Fanning show on evening the sad news came out. Dave played 20 minutes of Phil Chevron music.

Dave Fanning Show

Very special guests to mark passing of Phil Chevron: Steve Averill, Pete Holidai and Christy Moore. Tom also spoke to journalist Ken Sweeney at the start of the show.

Tom Dunne Newstalk

Mickey Bradley on Radio Ulster

Tony Clayton Lea on PhantomFM

I will add further radio tributes as I find them..

An Oral History of Grunge (Mark Yarm Interview)

On the 20th anniversary of ‘In Utero’, Nirvana’s third studio album, Dave Fanning talks to Brooklyn guitarist and author Mark Yarm about the history of grunge. Mark is the author of ‘Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge‘.

Mark Yarm (2013)

Uncertain Trumpet (1987 Session)

From Portstewart in Co.Derry Uncertain Trumpet were formed by Donal Boyle (guitar/vocals) and George Nelson (bass) when Perfect Crime split in 1985. They were joined by Chris Fawcett (oboe/sax) and Niall Brolly (drums). This Fanning session was recorded on 9th and 10th February 1987 and featured  Keiran McGrillis (drums/guitar) and Budgie Diamond (percussion/drums). George Nelson died tragically in a road accident in 1989 returning from a gig in Belfast. Ian Wilson supplied the uilleann pipes on ‘Prevail’. Kieran played acoustic guitar on Heartland with Budgie taking over on drums. Thank you Mark Lundy for additional detail. See also the IrishRock entry.

Strapped To An Armchair (1987)

Heartland (1987)

Marie Celeste (1987)

Prevail (1987)

Stuart Bailie ‘Good Vibrations’ Special with Terri Hooley & David Holmes

On 26th August 2013 Stuart Bailie hosted an hour long special on his BBC radio show with Terri Hooley and David Holmes about how the soundtrack for the Good Vibrations film was assembled. Read Stuart’s own take in ‘The Invincible Soundtrack‘. The show includes the tale of how ‘Gloria’ was replaced with ‘Star’ for the final credits. I guess it’s David Bowie 1 Van Morrison 0. The direct link to the show on mixcloud is here

The Lemmings (1993 Demo)

From Cork, The Lemmings were Bill Twomey (guitar), Cormac Gahan (bass) and Paul Green (drums). This demo was recorded in 1993 in Fiona Studios in Fermoy where The Frank & Walters also recorded their first demos. Dave Fanning played ‘Burn’ regularly and that song made an appearance along with two band members on the debut album of Cork band Boa Morte whose Fanning session we also hope to dig out one of these days.

Burn (1993)

Fall 100 Feet (1993)

The Shyest Person I Know (1993)

The Wild Herrings (Demo)

Their Fanning session is a favourite round these parts but this newly uncovered demo seems apt given that two members of this band, Fiona and Irene aka The Pender Sisters are to perform on Saturday 28th September at The Steam Punk Club in Dromahair.

From Ballyshannon in Co.Donegal The Wild Herrings are John Kane (guitar), Fiona Pender (vocals and sax), Irene Pender (vocals), Patsy O Kane (bass) and Michael Christie (drums). Apparently their set was one of the highlights of the Hennigans reunion last year.

Love On The Dole

Sellafield

Bam Bam & The Calling (1987 Session)

Bam Bam & The Calling are a 4 piece from Derry featuring the talents of Paul PJ McCartney (guitar, vocals), Tom Doherty (drums), John McCloskey (guitar) and Joe Brown (bass). They recorded this Fanning session on Jan 19th 1987. The band is still known to perform every couple of years and Joe Brown is currently active with veritable Derry supergroup The Gatefolds. To these ears at least the never before heard ‘Road Of The Lonely’ is a lost classic. Enjoy.

Road Of The Lonely (1987)

Only Sing (1987)

Scraping Off The Shine (1987)

Secret Meeting (1987)

Bam Bam & The Calling will play ‘A Night For Sean’ on Friday 20th September 2013 upstairs in The Gweedore Bar, Derry..

In early July the Semple family lost a dear loved one and a true gentleman, Sean and a lot of folk in Derry and further afield lost a great friend. . We’re honoured to be asked to play at this night in his memory. .Please come along and share it with us.

Andy Kershaw (2013 Interview)

Andy Kershaw with BP Fallon at the Electric Picnic 2013

Andy Kershaw’s autobiography is a great read so I was very interested to hear what transpired when Andy and Dave Fanning met at the Electric Picnic recently. There were no surprises for anyone who’s read ‘No Off Switch‘ but those who haven’t might take this opportunity.

Here’s what Andy himself wrote on facebook:

I was also thrilled to hook up again with the truly legendary Irish rock journalist and scene-maker, BP Fallon, following a gap of about 25 years. The tireless little imp, after 300 years of chronicling the music of others, has now got himself a band, has made a CD, and last Saturday night I watched him for the first time as stage performer. He played a remarkable if low-key gig in one of the more obscure tents. It was really good.

And while we were hanging out together on Sunday, I was also trying to persuade him that the time has come for him now to write his autobiography. (“If I can do it, Beep…”) What a story that would be! It would blow mine into the weeds.

It was also fab to see Dave Fanning again after many years, and to be interviewed on Dave’s RTE radio show, broadcasting live from the festival. (The noted motormouth of Irish radio couldn’t get a word in edgeways…) Also great to be reunited with Johnny Marr, and with Denis Desmond, the festival promoter, both of whom I hadn’t seen since Billy Bragg days. Johnny played a splendid set too.

Andy Kershaw with Dave Fanning (2013)

The Crocodile Tears (1987 Session)

The Crocodile Tears were from Ballinteer in Dublin and featured Brendan Tallon (guitar/vocals), Brendan Berry (guitar/vocals), Barry Woodley (bass) and Shane Rafferty (drums). They recorded this RTE Fanning Session on 9th November 1987. Thanks to IrishRock.org for the biographical details. If anyone has a band picture please drop us a note. The band changed bass player in 1988 and became The Coletranes.

Goodbye Susie-Ann (1987)

Tuesday Morning (1987)

Susie Sweetness (1987)

The Candyshop (1987 Session)

The Candyshop were Stephen Robinson (vocals), Dave Dorgan (guitar), Declan Mulligan Mark Byrne (bass) and Sean Ryan (drums). They featured previously in the form of a live rehearsal tape but today we have their 1987 Fanning session recorded on the 12th October of that year. Band picture anyone?

Railway Station (1987)

This Town (1987)

Things Have Changed (1987)

Jesus Station (1987)

Echoes Of Pink Whispers

Echoes Of Pink Whispers featured Lesley Kane (vocals,guitar), John Healy (vocals), David Healy (keyboards), Paddy Mc Cormick (bass), Aidan Whelan (guitar) and Sean Ryan (drums). They recorded a Fanning session on 3rd April 1986 featuring the tracks ‘The Whole World Cried’, ‘Charm’, ‘Suburbia By Night’ and ‘Synthetic Tribes’.

Charm (1986)

Suburbia By Night (1986)

Cypress, Mine! (1986 Session)

From Cork, Cypress Mine! were Ciaran O’Tuama (vocals), Ian Olney (guitar), Denis O’Mullane (bass) and Mark Healy (drums). They last featured here a mere 4 years ago and now finally we have uncovered the elusive Fanning session. Thank you to the owner of this tape whose shoebox of cassettes means activity around these parts is about to pick up. This session was recorded on 21st April 1986.

I remember that session in RTE for a few reasons. One was they had to change a plug and had to send for an electrician as no-one else was allowed do it. We also had our own engineer with us and they wouldn’t let him touch any of the gear. We needed reverb in the studio we were in and they had to ring someone and have the reverb re-routed from one of the other studios to the one we were in. I still have no idea how they did that. Top that off with “you can’t have a copy of what you just recorded …” and you have a memorable day right there 🙂

Mark Healy

The Wait (1986)

Jeffrey St Ledger (1986)

Niall O’Flaherty’s Porsche (1986)

Puppy Love Bomb (1994 Session)

From Dublin, Puppy Love Bomb were formed in 1991 by Marc Carroll (vocals, guitar), Alan Cullivan (bass) and Neil Dowling (drums). The band released 3 singles on Rough Trade in 1994 – ‘Too Busy Thinking’, ‘Not Listening’ and ‘Bobby Milk’. This session for Dave Fanning on RTE 2fm was recorded in July that year. ‘Almost A Star’ was later rerecorded as ‘Radio Stars’ for the debut of Marc Carroll’s subsequent band, The Hormones.

“We just did three weeks in Europe with Sugar,” Marc says with a smile, “and that personally has been the biggest thing in my musical career, because of my love of Bob Mould and Husker Dü. The very last night in Leeds, he joined us onstage and we all played ‘Ticket To Ride.’ And the place was electric. And the last time Bob Mould had joined a band was with REM in Los Angeles. So, here he was with three knackers from Dublin. So, that was really good.”

Hot Press (16/11/1994)

Almost A Star (1994)
I’m Not Listening (1994)
I Don’t Want To See You (1994)

The Shanks (1992 Session)

Photo (c) Siobhan Bardsley

Formed in Newmarket, Co.Cork in 1991, The Shanks started life as a four piece with Tim Murphy (guitar, vocals), Eoin O’Sullivan (guitar), Mick Hayes (bass) and Niall Lynch (drums). Murphy left in 1992 with ? taking over on vocal duties and the band continued as a 3 piece until 1999 releasing two albums; ‘The Prawn Lawn’ (1995) and ‘Brang’ (1999). ‘The Prawn Lawn’ featured at number 17 in ‘Cork’s Top 50 Albums‘ as chosen by wearenoise.com. The date/year of this Fanning session has yet to be ascertained..
Update: Patrick Feehan has confirmed the year was 1992.

Update: Loads more in this post on the Songs To Learn And Sing website.

The Pool

Stink

Nowhere Left To Go

Babbling Brook

Philip Chevron Testimonial – John Murray Show RTE Radio1 (21.8.13)

Philip Chevron, lead guitarist with The Pogues & founding member of The Radiators from Space, had been given the all clear after five years battling cancer but it has returned & it is inoperable. Friends & collaborators have come together for a musical testimonial. In the great tradition of football testimonials, the event takes place this Saturday night August 24th at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin.

Joining Kathryn Thomas (sitting in for John Murray) in studio are Radiators from Space members Steve Averill & Pete Holidai & from a London studio Cait O’Riordan, ex Pogue & ex Radiator member. Shane McGowan feature via a prerecorded piece.

Subject to confirmation the testimonial will be broadcast live on RTE2XM.

John Murray Show (21.8.13)

The Mickey Bradley Record Show on BBC Radio Ulster

We’ve long been fans of Michael Bradley on the radio. Since Mickey’s Monkey the man has been essential listening for his choice in music and his witty repartee. Mickey moved on to ‘The Bottom Line’ and most recently was to host ‘After Midnight’ where he revisited punk and refused to countenance anything released after 1989. We were saddened at the demise of that show but thankfully all has been rectified with the recent announcement of a new show. Mickey has thankfully repealed the 1989 embargo and broadened his musical theme and if the first show is anything to go by will become essential listening. The aptly titled ‘The Mickey Bradley Record Show‘ goes out every Tuesday from 8-10pm and you can tune in via your wireless if you are in the UK or the BBC iPlayer for the rest of us..

“I can’t wait to start the new show, a chance to play those rockin’ little records, as Chuck Berry once said. And unlike my last BBC Radio Ulster show, I have thrown off the self-imposed time constraints – so I can play records from this century as well as the last. What have they got in common? They’re all meaty, beaty, big and bouncy – another borrowed phrase.

“The programme will feature the likes of The Who, The Sex Pistols, Dusty Springfield, The Clash, The Shangri-Las, Velvet Underground, David Bowie, Them – as well as the bands who will never have a documentary made about them on BBC Four!”

Undertone Mickey Bradley to present new music show on BBC Radio Ulster

Engine Alley (Feile 1993)

On his Sunday show of the August bank holiday weekend Dave Couse got to reminiscing about Feile 1993. It struck me that this was of course 20 years ago and I got to wondering if I didnt have some recordings from RTE 2fm of the festival. The recordings I originally had in mind were actually from Cork Rocks in 1991 but I did uncover one recording from Feile in 1993..

Engine Alley (Feile 1993)

Cactus World News (1985 Session)

Apologies for the relative silence of late, the tape supply has dwindled somewhat so we are now reliant on excavations from the field. If you have any tapes in the attic why not dig them out and see what you can find?

As is now tradition on a bank holiday, Dan Hegarty recently dug out this Cactus World News session for Dave Fanning from the RTE archives. We had already posted one track from this session but are now reposting with the full session.

State Of Emergency (1985)

Worlds Apart (1985)

Pilots Of Beka (1985)

The Last Night Shift / Night Train

On the occasion of the last ever Night Shift and Night Train shows Gerry Ryan and Mark Cagney splashed out on champagne and chips to send off their respective shows in a befitting style. This might bring back a few memories..

The Last Night Shift (1988)

Sunday Morning Coming Down

Dublin music fans were up in arms when PhantomFM cancelled the much loved ‘Sunday Morning Coming Down‘ show last year. They as well as Cork and Limerick radio listeners now have a second chance to enjoy the show on recently launched 8Radio. Last week’s playlist included Low, Smog, The Go-Betweens, Serafina Steer, Beth Orton, DJ Shadow, Smithereens, Grant Lee Buffalo, Suicide, Madrugada, Dexys, Cowboy Junkies, Public Service Broadasting, Tracey Thorn, The Smithereens and The Tycho Brahe. 8radio has a 15 week weekend licence and broadcasts on FM from midnight Friday until midnight Sunday. Tara Gleeson aka Pearl can be heard on Sunday mornings from 9am – 12 noon at 94.3FM in Dublin, 105.5 in Limerick, 106.7 in Cork or via the stations website.

Ten Speed Racer (2013 Interviews)

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 10 years since one of my favourite bands called it a day. Joe Chester, Pat, John and Dermot Barrett and Terry Cullen in other words the band that was Ten Speed Racer are having an impromptu reunion this Friday upstairs in Whelan’s. Originally listed as a gig by The Hedge Schools (Pat’s post 10sr solo project with Joe), all 5 original 10sr members will be on stage which is no mean feat given that a number of them no longer live in the country. Dermot and Joe (who produced Ryan Sheridan’s album, currently at the top of the German charts) will appear on Colm O’Sullivan’s TodayFM show tonight. If anyone has any sessions please get in touch.

Joe & Dermot with Tom Dunne (3rd May 2013)

Joe & Dermot on TodayFM (1st May 2013)

Fanning Interviews (1986)

Fanning Interviews (1986)

Paul McLoone ‘Good Vibrations’ Special

To celebrate the imminent release of ‘Good Vibrations‘ the movie about an independent record store in Belfast, based on Terri Hooley’s autobiography ‘Hooleygan‘ Paul McLoone on TodayFM will be having a Good Vibrations show tonight in his 9pm – midnight slot. Paul will feature an interview with Terri as well as lots of great music from the era. As they say round these parts, go see the movie early and often! If you check back after the show we hope to add a recording, blank tapes willing and all that.

Update: Adding recording of the show. Fans of Ulster Punk might want to check out the IFI on Saturday at 16.10 where you can catch the John T. Davis documentaries ‘Shellshock Rock’ & ‘Self-Conscious Over You’.

Terri Hooley on the Paul McLoone TodayFM show (28.3.2013)

Terri Hooley on the Dave Fanning 2FM show (6.4.2013)

Trailer:
https://youtu.be/SE17U5ML9dQ

Dave Couse – St Patricks Day (2013)

We like radio specials and Dave Couse is revisiting what we still call ‘An Teach Solas‘ this Sunday for only the third time. He hasnt said too much on the subject but we are hoping for 3 hours of Irish rock music from the last 4 decades all hand chosen by the frontman of Dublin’s A House interspersed with a few anecdotes. An Teach Solas is a loose translation for The Lighthouse which is what Dave’s TodayFM Sunday night show used to be called before the suits became confused. We hope to record the show and post it here for posterity but just in case you’d like to catch it live consider yourselves forewarned.

P.S. Ed Smith producer of the Paul McLoone show and host of ‘Ed’s Indie Disco‘ 10pm Saturday nights on TodayFM is also hosting an all Irish edition for the weekend that’s in it.

Update: Adding the audio for those who missed the show. Tracklist to follow.

An Teach Solas 3.0 (17th March 2013)

Andy White – Religious Persuasion
Undertones – Mars Bars
Blue In Heaven – Just Wanna
Into Paradise – Rain Comes Down
Fatima Mansions – Blues For Ceausescu
The Pale – Joan Of Arc On Broadway
Power Of Dreams – Never Been To Texas
Delorentos – Little Sparks
Brilliant Trees –
Rollerskate Skinny – Speed To My Side
Favourite Sons – Safe For All Seasons
The Frank & Walters – How Can I Exist
Republic Of Music – I Like Music
Simple Kid – Truck On
Morrissey – Suedehead
Thin Lizzy – Dont Believe A Word
Pugwash – Anyone Who Asks
Sinead O’Connor & Shane McGowan – Haunted
Sinead O’Connor – Queen Of Denmark
Stars Of Heaven – Someone Is Getting Tired Of You
Rory Gallagher – Follow Me
U2 – A Sort Of Homecoming
The Infomatics – Wake Up
David Long – London Is Fog
O Emperor – Holy Fool
Whipping Boy – The Honeymoon Is Over
Van Morrison & Chieftains – She Moved Through The Fair
Adrian Crowley – The Wishing Seat
A House – Take It Easy On Me
Boomtown Rats – Looking After Number 1
My Bloody Valentine – If I Am
Electric Penguins – Self Portrait
That Petrol Emotion – Cellophane
David Holmes – Gritty Shaker
The Pogues – If I Should Fall From Grace With God
Microdisney – Are You Happy Now?
Engine Alley – The Flowers
Briana Corrigan – Monster
Horslips – The Man Who Built America
Boa Morte – Tonight She Said
Elvis – Danny Boy

Mark Eitzel – Here Comes The Night (1997)

Mark Eitzel needs no introduction. Singer with the American Music Club and a successful solo artist, he returns to these shores for an Irish tour this week. If you have yet to see him live don’t pass up this opportunity, if you already have you’ll know what is in store. This interview came on the occasion of a previous visit in 1997 when he played Whelan’s in Dublin. He dropped in to the Radio Ireland studios to talk to Donal Dineen on his ‘Here Comes The Night‘ show and yours truly captured at least some of it.

Mark Eitzel post 1997 Whelan’s gig with Niall Crumlish, Nick Kelly and George Byrne Photo (C) Lorraine Freeney

Feb 21 Dublin – Workman’s Club
Feb 22 Cork – Cyprus Avenue
Feb 23 Kilkenny – Cleere’s
Feb 25 Galway – Roisin Dubh
Feb 26 Belfast – Errigle Inn

‘Here Comes The Night‘ (1997)

Sixty years of Irish music tribes

The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland has had a hand in a number of interesting retro radio documentaries of late and this Phantom 105.2 exemplar is no exception. Titled ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit‘ it’s billed as “a four-part documentary series exploring the evolution of music tribes in Ireland over the last sixty years”.

The impressive list of contributors includes Eamon Carr, Garry O’Neill (‘Where Were You?‘), Alison O’Donnell (Mellow Candle), Dara Higgins (The Jimmy Cake), Stompin’ George, Mim Scala (Author of ‘Diary Of A Teddy Boy‘), Laura Lee-Conboy, Daragh O’ Halloran (Author of ‘Green Beat: The Forgotten Era of Irish Rock‘) and legendary mod – Irish Jack Lyons, plus many many more.

Episode 1: ‘The Peacocks Come To Town‘ (50’s and 60’s)
Teddy Boys, Rockers, Mods, Hippies

Episode 2: ‘Sticking The Boot In‘ (70’s)
Skinheads, Punks and the Rockabilly revival

Episode 3: ‘The Streets Are Alive‘ (80’s)
Mod revival, Psychobilly, New Romantics, Goths, Metallers, B-boys/Hip-Hop

Episode 4: ‘Where Have All The Tribes Gone?‘ (90’s to now)
Ravers, Grungers, Emo’s, Hipsters

Joey Burns of Calexico with Jay Ahern (2003)

Ten years ago Calexico played two nights in Whelan’s. While in town Joey Burns dropped into the 2fm studio where Jay Ahern was recording his Sunday night show. I am sure Calexico fans out there will enjoy what transpired. Calexico play Dublin’s Olympia Theatre this Thursday, 14th Feb 2013.

Sunday 9th Feb 2003

Calexico ‘Not Even Stevie Nicks’
Calexico ‘The Book and The Canal’
Corker/Conboy ‘Akka’
Neko Case ‘Lady Pilot’
Giant Sand ‘Temptation Of Egg’
Calexico ‘Guero Canelo’
Calexico ‘Attack El Robot ! Attack !’
ABBC ‘Gilbert’
Calexico ‘Whipping The Horse’s Eyes’
I Am Not A Gun ‘Jet Stream’
Joey Burns ‘Deep Down’ (Live In Studio)
Calexico ‘Quattro’

Part 1

OP8 ‘If I Think Of Love’
Rainer Ptacek ‘Pastime Paradise’
Calexico ‘Crumble’
The Sea And Cake ‘Four Corners’
OP8 ‘Sand’
Domotic ‘Durchkomponiert’
Calexico ‘Black Heart’
The Black Heart Procession ‘Tropics Of Love’
Calexico ‘Güero Canelo’
Joey Burns ‘Convict Pool’ ( Live In Studio)
Calexico ‘No Doze’
Calexico ‘Service And Repair’

Part 2

A House (1991 Interview)

http://irishmusicdb.com/a/ahouse/

Came across this snippet when working on the recently posted 1990 interview, this is a short segment from 1991 with A House prior to the release of their third album ‘I Am the Greatest’. Up for discussion are: getting dropped by Blanco Y Negro, the vocals for ‘Heart Happy’. signing to Setanta Records, Keith Cullen, not getting on the BBC playlist. If the remainder turns up I shall update the post.

Interview Excerpt (1991)

A House (1990 Interview)

Image via http://irishmusicdb.com/a/ahouse/

Prior to the release of their second album ‘I Want Too Much’ Dave Couse (vocals & guitar), Fergal Bunbury (guitar), Martin Healy (bass), Dermot Wylie (drums) aka A House had a chat with Dave Fanning from London where the band were performing as part of an Irish rock week in The Mean Fiddler. The performance of ‘Violent Love’ at the end is well worth the wait. Dave Couse can of course be heard every Sunday on TodayFM from 10pm until midnight.

– Manstrong (live)
recording on Inisboffin, Mike Hedges etc
– Shivers Up My Spine (album)
– 13 Wonderful Lovesongs (live)
on signing autographs
– Bring Down The Beast (live)
Martin & Dermot on falling off stage in SF, touring US, the Go-Betweens
– I Think I’m Going Mad (single)
– Smalltalk (live)
John Carroll (manager) & Liam Crinnion
– Violent love (live)
Mean Fiddler gig listings for rest of week..

Interview (1990)

Andy Kershaw ‘No Off Switch’

I’ve just finished reading Andy Kershaw‘s autobigraphy ‘No Off Switch‘ and wanted to say how enjoyable it was. I first came across Andy as a DJ on BBC Radio 1 on who’s shows you never knew what to expect, he played anything and everything from African folk to US new (and old) country. I also knew his as a TV presenter on ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’ which I still remember fondly watching of a New Year’s Eve. Andy introduced me to Dwight Yoakam and Lyle Lovett and that US new country segment is still etched in my mind. But Andy’s career is much longer and wide ranging than this as I was to learn when reading this book. Living in Ireland means that I was thankfully spared the media attention for which many probably think they know Andy and thankfully this book does not dwell on those times. The book does recount trips to the US to track down Ted Hawkins and other forgotten musicians, Andy’s days as Leeds Ents officer, trips as intrepid reporter to the homelands of loony dictators, the list goes on. If you enjoy a fascinating read, do yourself a favour and get this book. Then go and check out some of his shows which is what I am doing now, listening to Andy on ‘Desert Island Discs‘. Here’s a track from a band who I remember being blown away by in Limerick’s Savoy in the 80s and who I probably first heard on Andy’s show.

The Real Sounds of Africa ‘Wende Zako‘

The Hitchers (1997 Session)

The Hitchers June 1997 L-R Hoss Carnage, Niall Quinn, Andy Gallagher, Eric Fitzgerald

From Limerick, The Hitchers were Andy Gallagher (vocals, guitars), Niall Quinn (vocals, drums), Hoss Carnage (bass, vocals), Eric Fitzgerald (guitars, vocals). Past members include Eoin O’Kelly (vocals 1989-91), Brendan ‘Benny’ McCormack (guitar 1989-90), Frank Ryan (bass 2000-01), Donnacha Twoomey (guitar 1989). They recorded this Fanning session in 1997 and it was re-broadcast on the Dan Hegarty show in 2006 as part of his ‘Classic Session’ series. Niall Quinn is currently active with Theme Tune Boy who are about to release an album ‘Return of the Living Dead’ on 4-3-3 music on January 19th 2013. The album launch party takes place the same day in The Blind Pig, Thomas Street, Limerick.

Human Skull (1997)

You Can Only Love Someone (1997)

U Can Du (1997)

At The Seaside (1997)

Fanning’s Fab 50 (2012)

I know the suspense is killing you all so here goes. Christmas has finally arrived when Dave starts running down the Fanning Fab 50. There were a few hitches but hopefully someone at RTE is listening. The rundown concludes on Monday so I will update the post then.

50 Blur – Under The Westway
49 Grizzly Bear – While You Wait For The Others
48 White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
47 Massive Attack – Unfinished Symphony
46 Arcade Fire – Wake Up
45 Bob Dylan – Visions Of Johanna
44 Lana Del Ray – Video Games
43 Bruce Springsteen – The River
42 U2 – The Fly
41 Pogues – A Rainy Night In Soho
40 Radiohead – Street Spirit Fade Out
39 The Doors – Riders On The Storm
38 Metallica – Nothing Else Matters
37 Joy Division – Atmosphere
36 Beach Boys – Good Vibrations
35 Villagers – Becoming A Jackal
34 Johnny Cash – Hurt
33 Metallica – Enter Sandman
32 The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio
31 U2 – Beautiful Day
30 Bon Iver – Calgary
29 U2 – All I Want Is You
28 The Undertones – Teenage Kicks
27 Stone Roses – I Wanna Be Adored
26 Neil Young – Heart Of Gold
25 Pearl Jam – Black
24 Radiohead – Creep
23 Radiohead – Fake Plastic Trees
22 Jimi Hendrix – All Along The Watchtower
21 Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars
20 Elbow – One Day Like This
19 U2 – With Or Without You
18 The Smiths – There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
17 Bob Dylan – Like A Rolling Stone
16 The Pixies – Debaser
15 Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah
14 The Beatles – A Day In The Life
13 Radiohead – Paranoid Android
12 The Rolling Stones – Gimme Shelter
11 Smashing Pumkpins – 1979
10 The Smiths – How Soon Is Now
09 The Rolling Stones – Sympathy For The Devil
08 Led Zeppelin – Stairway To Heaven
07 Pink Floyd – Comfortably Numb
06 The Stone Roses – I Am The Resurrection
05 Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
04 Love Will Tear Us Aoart
03 Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
02 U2 – Bad (Live)
01 U2 – One

Paul Cleary interview with Pat Kenny (1986)

http://www.broadsheet.ie/tag/paul-cleary/

Paul Cleary, founder and lead singer of the recently defunct Blades, now with new band The Partisans talking to Pat Kenny in 1986 about school, early careers and what he might have done if music had not intervened. Paul talks about why The Blades called it a day, who The Partisans are and what they’ll be doing. He also explains why he didnt perform at Self Aid. Thanks to Mick for digging this out.

Paul Cleary part 1

Paul Cleary part 2

Interview with Hunter Davies editor of The John Lennon Letters

On Saturday 8th December 2012 Dave Fanning interviewed Hunter Davies on his RTE 2fm Saturday morning show. Hunter is author of the only authorised Beatles biography and is editor of the recently published John Lennon Letters. In a long and wide ranging interview Dave impresses Hunter with his knowledge and plays some archive recordings of Paul McCartney and Cynthia Lennon.

Hunter Davies (2012)

Hothouse Flowers / Fanning’s Fab 50

Today the Hothouse Flowers explain how to vote in the Fanning Fab 50 or at least how you should have done so back in 1987. As a bonus there is a studio busking version of B side ‘Mountains’. The Hothouse Flowers play Whelan’s on 30th December, their first Dublin date in two years. And by the way voting is open for this year’s Fab50 – more details on the RTE 2fm website. Fiachna Ó Braonáin has of course been busy hosting radio shows on RTE1 and the ‘Poetic Champions Compose‘ series on TodayFM.

Fab 50 Instructions

‘Mountains’

Toasted Heretic (1991 Session)

From Galway Toasted Heretic were Declan Collins (guitars), Neil Farrell (programming, keyboards & backing vocals) and Julian Gough (vocals). Other members Breffni O’Rourke & Aonghus McMahon “couldnt afford the train fare”. Engineer was Paddy McBreen, Ian Wilson produced.

Another Day Another Riot

Satellite Dishes

Don’t Scuff My Tan

Galway and Los Angeles

Power Of Dreams (1990 Fanning Interview)

A track from the 1989 Power Of Dreams Fanning session featured here recently and today we have a Dave Fanning show interview with Craig Walker from October 5th 1990 the very night night the band played McGonagles as part of their Irish tour. Power Of Dreams fans stay tuned because we also have a recording of their 1990 Cork Rocks performance in the works, check out previous posts here. Check out PoD on facebook here.

Power Of Dreams Interview (1990 )

John T Davis (2012 Interview)

Photo courtesy Culture Northerm Ireland

33 years after ‘Shellshock Rock‘ was controversially withdrawn from the festival programme at the last minute, John T Davis returned to the Cork Film Festival this year for a showing of his seminal Irish punk document. The movie was eventually shown but only thanks to then UCC Entertainments Officer Elvera Butler.

I had met Terri Hooley some time earlier when we were both were guests on the Dave Fanning Rock Show on RTE, talking about rock music in the north and south of the country respectively, and he got in touch with me to see if I could do anything to help.

The following is an interview John gave on 96FM Irish music show ‘The Green Room’ hosted by Michael Carr.

Green Room Interview (17th Nov 2012)

The Tycho Brahe

http://www.irishmusiccentral.com/tychonaut/images.html

The Tycho Brahe were Carol Keogh (vocals), Donal O’Mahony (guitars, keyboards and mandolin) and Diarmuid MacDiarmada (drums). Formed in 2002 they released 2 albums ‘This Is’ (2002) and ‘Love Life’ (2003). The trio had originally collaborated as The Low Babies as early as 1994 before Keogh and O’Mahony formed The Plague Monkeys in late 1995 with Barry Roden (bass) and Thomas Haugh (drums, percussion and keyboards). Carol Keogh is currently seeking support via fundit.ie to record a new album with The City Fathers. The band “get Saucy” this Sunday Nov 11 at the Grand Social (free in, on stage 9.45pm). Hopefully in the not too distant future we might be able to dig out The Plague Monkeys Fanning session.

The following three tracks were recorded in Autumn 2002, so round about ten years ago, and during the writing of Tychos’ second album ‘Love Life’ was released. 2FM sessions, in the wonderful Studio 8 setting in RTE, were then as now a pleasure to record. That studio has a very special old-school ambience, with its swimming-pool-like sunken live room and lovely-sounding grand piano. Not to mention the dedicated efficiency of the studio engineers, who really get it, and the ubiquitous presence of producer, Ian Wilson, with his laid-back passion for the music.

Read more and hear the City Fathers 2012 session for Dan Hegarty on the Carol Keogh site

‘Bit By Bit‘ / ‘The Spike and The Wheel‘ / ‘Defiance‘ (2002)

Microdisney (1981 Session)

http://bubbyworld.com/microdisney/band.jpg

Formed in Cork before relocating to London, Microdisney were Cathal Coughlan (vocals), Sean O’Hagan (guitar), Mick Lynch (vocals), Jack Walsh (bass), Dave Galvin (drums). They recorded a Fanning session on 31st March 1981 featuring four tracks – ‘Cack Hand’, ‘Let’s Get Married’, ‘Mitchelstown’ and ‘Victory’. One track from this session and an interview have already appeared here and today we have two further tracks from the session. According to wikipedia the band played a one-off gig at Nick Allum’s 50th birthday party featuring Cathal Coughlan, Sean O’Hagan and Jon Fell (bass) with Fatima Mansions Nick Allum (drums) and High Llamas Rob Allum (drums/vocals).

Leper (1981)

Cack Hand (1981)

‘Poetic Champions Compose’ – TodayFM revisits classic Irish albums

This week’s Hot Press has a feature on a new TodayFM show ‘Poetic Champions Compose‘ a series revisiting classic Irish albums, presented by Fiachna Ó Braonáin.

In the coming weeks eight contemporary Irish artists will lead a celebration of eight classic albums, sharing stories of how these seminal LPs have played a part in their own musical journey and treating listeners to an intimate performance of a track from their chosen album.

We’ll also hear from some of the artists, managers and producers who worked on the records and some of the music industry giants who are still under their spell, decades later.

Expect to hear
[Oct 21] Julie Feeney – ‘The Lion and The Cobra‘ (Sinead O’Connor)
[Oct 28] Paddy Casey – ‘Fisherman’s Blues‘ (The Waterboys)
[Nov 04] Damien Dempsey – ‘Alive & Dangerous‘ (Thin Lizzy)
[Nov 11] Kila’s Colm Ó Snodaigh – ‘A Tonic For The Troops‘ (Boomtown Rats)
[Nov 18] Duke Special – ‘Moondance‘ (Van Morrison)
[Nov 25] Gemma Hayes – ‘Loveless‘ (My Bloody Valentine)
[Dec 02] Bressie – ‘Achtung Baby‘ (U2).

The show kicks off this Sunday 14th October 2012 at 7pm with Mundy who chose ‘Rum, Sodomy & The Lash‘ (The Pogues).

Fiachna Ó Braonáin previews the series on the Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show (12th Oct 2012)

Rocky de Valera & The Rhythm Kings (1981 Session)

We originally featured Rocky de Valera and The Rhythm Kings eighteen months ago when we posted a track from the band’s 1981 Fanning session. Today we have two further tracks from that very session. The last we heard from Rocky or Ferdia MacAnna as you may know him a band was being assembled for at least one reunion gig. Further details remain elusive but as soon as we have them you’ll be the first to know, meanwhile why not check out Rocky De Valera and the Gravediggers over at u2theearlydayz.com.

’54-46′ (1981)

‘Ain’t Got No Home’ (1981)

Dolphin Discs to close

We have a soft spot for record shops but seem to have ended up charting their demise. This morning Ian Dempsey chatted to the boss of Dolphin Discs, Talbot Street, Dublin who after 40 years in business are closing their doors. Ian spent 10 minutes reminiscing with Paul O’Reilly who had a few interesting tales to tell including a few of strokes pulled. The shop closes Sunday and as Ian says everything must go so head on down share a few memories and maybe pick up a few bargains.

Paul O’Reilly of Dolphin Discs on Ian Dempsey (25.9.12)

Gerry Ryan – The Nightshift (1987)

Hard to believe that over two years have passed since Gerry Ryan‘s untimely death. Most will remember him for his RTE TV and 2fm morning radio shows but readers of this site will also remember Gerry Ryan and his 8-10pm Nightshift show sandwiched between Dave Fanning and Mark Cagney’s Nighttrain. Here’s a little sample of what you might have heard, I editd the clip to preserve the anonymity of the pen pal letter writer..

Nightshift (1987)

The Night Before Self Aid

On 16 May 1986, the eve of the Self Aid concert, Dave Fanning had a special show previewing what was to take place the next day. In this excerpt you will hear a few of the visitors he had in the studio that night. Thanks to John for digging this out.

Kevin Conneff (The Chieftains)
Phil Chevron (Pogues, Radiators)
Eoin McEvoy (Cactus World News)
Eamonn McCann
and Philip King?

The Night Before Self Aid (1986)

Paul Charles on ‘ABC to XTC’ with John Connolly

Seeing the interview with Paul Charles in this week’s issue of Hot Press magazine reminded me of the special ABC to XTC show John Connolly hosted just over a year ago when he spent an hour talking to the author and music business insider. If you don’t know who Paul Charles is this interview is a perfect starting point. Charles’ latest book ‘The Last Dance’ which “tells the fictional story of an irish showband” is out now on New Island.

ABC to XTC is an RTE 2XM radio show hosted by author John Connolly. I have yet to read any of John’s work but I am a fan of his radio show which takes a look at the less travelled side of 80s music, with an occasional excursion right up to the present. My favorite shows are those where he looks at post punk or US independent music but his show is always entertaining thanks to John’s anecdotes.

ABC to XTC Paul Charles interview (2011)

Derry Journal review

Ted Hawkins on the BPFO (4 April 1987)

The BP Fallon Orchestra was the title of RTE Radio 2 show hosted by BP Fallon on Saturday and Sunday evenings from 1982 until 1987. His guest on Aprill 4th 1987 was Ted Hawkins (October 28, 1936 – January 1, 1995) an American singer-songwriter from Mississippi.

Hawkins achieved cult status among fans around the world, but was usually to be found playing guitar and singing, while sitting on a milk-crate, entertaining passers-by in Santa Monica, California. He was often rescued from this fate over the years, by enthusiastic record producers and even by the BBC’s roving reporter Andy Kershaw, who championed his cause in Britain. However Hawkins seemed torn between the promise of artistic success and the lure of a delinquent life style.
The Independent (13/1/1995)

In this hour long show Ted talks to BP about his youth, school and how he ended up in prison. Thanks to Martin for digging this one out.

Ted Hawkins BPFO (1987)

The Radiators From Space

“Ireland’s first punk band” accoording to George Byrne, The Radiators From Space released their debut single ‘Television Screen‘ in early 1977 inspiring a host of young Irish bands to follow suit. Formed in 1975, The Radiators were Steve Rapid (vocals), Phil Chevron (guitar & vocals), Pete Holidai (guitar & vocals), Mark Megaray (bass) and Jimmy Crashe (drums). The current lineup is Philip Chevron (vocals & guitar), Pete Holidai (lead guitar & Vocals), Steve Rapid (synth noises & Vocals), Johnny Bonnie (drums and vocals) and Enda Wyatt (bass and vocals).

Dave Fanning recently spoke to Philip Chevron and Steve Averill of The Radiators From Space about the Irish Beat Scene and the bands who inspired them. The band has just released ‘Sound City Beat‘ an 18-track collection where they “reinvent” the music of their Irish rock predecessors Eire Apparent, Bluesville, The Blue Aces, Thin Lizzy, The Movement, Skid Row, Horslips, Taste, Them, Andwella, The Next in Line, The Creatures and Orange Machine. The record has been described as an Irish version of Lenny Kaye’s ‘Nuggets’. Many of these names yours truly first heard on the now defunct Dave Heffernan ‘Guaranteed Irish‘ show on 4FM.

The Radiators From Space play a one off gig at Dublin’s Academy on Saturday 8th September. Guests on the night, in an inspired piece of programming, are an up-and-coming beat combo from Cavan The Strypes.

Philip Chevron and Steve Averill (7th July 2012)

Darren McCreesh – Strange Passion

The great reviews for the new ‘Strange Passion- Explorations in Irish Post Punk, DIY and Electronic Music 1980-83‘ compilation on Finders Keepers offshoot Cache-Cache are coming fast and furious and Darren McCreesh the man behind the release has been out and about giving interviews. Here’s what happened when he visited the TodayFM studios to talk to Carrellines (anyone got their Fanning session?) singer Paul McLoone. While you’re waiting for this to load up why not check out the reviews by Pitchfork, factmag, avclub, norman records and state magazine. An album stream is available here. The CD and vinyl release come with detailed liner notes so do yourself a favour and pick up the physical release. Personally we’re hoping Darren will concentrate solely on the RTE Fanning Sessions for his next compilation.

Darren McCreesh on Paul McLoone show (12th July 2012)

Setanta Records R.I.P. – a C60 tribute

Keith Cullen the man behind Setanta Records the London based label that launched a thousand Irish bands has announced that the latest album ‘Orchestral Variations V.01‘ by The Separate will be the last by the iconic label. Setanta has been home to bands including A House, Beethoven, Brian, Cane 141, Catchers, Chalets, Deadly Engines, Divine Comedy, Frank & Walters, Glee Club, Harvest Ministers, Into Paradise, Pony Club, Power Of Dreams, Prayer Boat, Rare, They Do It With Mirrors, Turn.

I’ve long been a fan of the RTE 2XM show C60 hosted by Pat McGrath and his look at the label is a suitable showcase for both show and label so I’ve taken the liberty of posting it here. Check out the show on facebook and listen back to recent shows via the excellent RTE radio player.

Catchers – Call Her Name
Divine Comedy – Lucy
Divine Comedy – Jerusalem
The Frank & Walters –
A House – I Am The Greatest
Cane 141 – The Grand Looner
Brian – We Close
Stars – The Life ?
The Separate – Video Killed The Radio Star
Into Paradise – Tomorrow
Evan Dando – You Thought Hard About
The Harvest Ministers – That Won’t Wash
Richard Hawley – Baby Your My Life
A House – Without Dreams

C60 Setanta special (11 July 2012)

Further reading:

‘God Save The Village Green‘ a novel by Keith Cullen

‘Underdogs are the best‘ Keith Cullen interviewed by Niall Crumlish for State Magazine (16th July 2012)

‘One last spin for Setanta Records‘ Tony Clayton Lea in The Irish Times (16th July 2012)

‘When the music’s over . . .‘ Irish Independent (14th July 2012)

The Foreign Correspondents (1992 Session)

From Dublin, The Foreign Correspondents were Niall Nolan (vocals), Rory McGarry (guitar), Eamonn Kelly (bass) and Morgan Mullen (drums). This RTE 2fm session was broadcast by Dave Fanning on Monday 16th November 1992.

Windmills (1992)

Soulfish (1992)

Rush (1992)

Every Third Time (1992)

Above The Thunderclouds

Above The Thunderclouds formed as a three piece in Spring 1983 by Joey Barry (vocals, keyboards), Gerry Leonard (guitar, keyboards, bass) and Declan O’Sullivan (keyboards). In September 1984 Alex Curtis (drums) and Darragh Tanham (sax/clarinet) completed the lineup. Joey Barry was later in Thee Amazing Colossal Men and Compulsion, Gerry Leonard was in Hinterland, Declan O’Sullivan in Thee Amazing Colossal Men, Captain Hex.

Conversation (1984)

The Big Event (1984)

Cage (1984)

The Blades (1980 Session)

The 1981 Blades session has already featured but today it is the turn of the first incarnation of that band and their 1980 Fanning session.

The 1980 session features the original three-piece with Paul Cleary and his brother Lar, with Pat Larkin on the drums with some cover versions not available elsewhere. The line-up for the 1981 session featured Brian Foley on bass, and Jake Reilly on drums. RTE 2fm

‘Walk Back Renee’ (1980)

‘Breaking Out Of The Ruts’ (1980)

Leonard Cohen (1993 Interview)

Shortly after the release of his 1992 album ‘The Future’ Leonard Cohen had a long chat with Dave Fanning. The interview was broadcast on Dave’s RTE show on 21st January 1993. Leonard Cohen is of course playing four gigs at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham this September 11th, 12th, 14th and 15th. Cohen is returning to the spot where he was reduced to tears four years earlier. The singer broke a 10-year hiatus from live shows when he performed in the grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art in 2008. Concert impresario Rob Hallett who persuaded the singer and poet out of retirement said he used a show in Dublin two years earlier to win his argument. The promoter and life-long fan persuaded Cohen there was a massive audience waiting to see him on the back of a two-night tribute concert ‘Came So Far for Beauty‘ in The Point Theatre October 4th and 5th 2006.

Interview (1993)

John Cooper Clarke (1986 Interview)

John Cooper Clarke, punk poet extraordinaire has been a regular visitor to these shores and to the Dave Fanning show. This is a recording of a 1986 visit in which John talks of an upcoming album ‘The Beat Goes Off’. This release has still to see the light of day but you can listen to some of it here. The recording was edited old school hence the occasional jump.

Interview (1986)

Whipping Boy (1990 Session)

It’s become tradition now that a bank holiday sees Ian Wilson dispatched to the RTE 2fm session archives to dig out classic sessions for Dan Hegarty to play on his show. Monday last was no disappointment with session tracks from Emperor of Icecream, Into Paradise and finally Whipping Boy. We are already familiar with their 1995 session but on Monday Dan chose to dig out the 1990 session and played the following track..

‘Valentine 69’ (1990)

On June 12th 2012 Dan repeated the session this time in full and here are the remaining tracks. The original Whipping Boy lineup which was presumably the same for this session was Fearghal McKee (vocals), Paul Page (guitar), Myles McDonnell (bass, vocals) and Colm Hassett (drums).

In November 2018 in a facebook comment Paul Page wrote:

That session sounded so much better than the EP. Remember some talk of approaching RTE to get permission to use it. Ended up re-recording those tracks & they just sounded weaker.

‘Switchblade Smile’ (1990)

‘S.M. Daze’ (1990)

‘I Think I Miss You’ (1990)

Into Paradise (1990 Session)

Into Paradise were Dave Long (vocals, guitar), Rachel Tighe (bass), James Eadie (guitar, keyboards) and Ronan Clarke (drums). Dave explains at the end of the recording that this repeat airing of the session was broadcast just before the release of the band’s ‘Change’ EP (22nd May 1990). Owain who dug this out wrote “the session version of ‘Change’ is pretty awesome in my view and much better than the released version”. Maybe Dan Hegarty and Ian Wilson might consider this one for their next “classic session” feature on Dan’s RTE 2XM/2FM show ‘The Alternative‘?  Anyone have a copy of the fourth and final track ‘Heaven’? Update: Thank you Owain for locating the missing track!

Burns My Skin (1990)

Dreaming (1990)

Change (1990)

Heaven (1990)

Elvera Butler Interview / Shellshock Rock UCC Downtown Campus (30/6/1979)

The following is the poster for the screening of Shellshock Rock at the U.C.C. Downtown Campus on June 30th 1979 which also featured live performances from two of the bands featured in the documentary Rudi and The Outcasts. The photo was kindly sent in by John Dundon from Limerick who commented on that Outcasts session post.

That gig was promoted by Elvera Butler, the founder and mastermind behind Reekus Records currently celebrating their 30 year anniversary. Elvera was recently interviewed by @nessymon aka Vanessa Monaghan for her Culture Cafe show on RTE 2fm/2XM. Here is an excerpt from that interview where Elvera talks of the label’s origins.

ELvera Butler (Reekus Records)

The Outcasts (1981 Fanning Session)

Thanks to long time supporter Rob for digging this one out. The Outcasts were a Belfast punk band formed in 1978 by Greg Cowan (vocals/bass), Colin Getgood (guitar), Martin Cowan (guitar) and Colin Cowan (drums). They appeared in the John T. Davis’ ‘Shellshock Rock‘ documentary on NI punk and later in their own doc ‘Self Conscious Over You’. In mid 1980 Greg Cowan was injured in a motorbike accident and Gordie Blair (SLF/Rudi) joined on a temporary basis – he actually appears in the ‘Self Concious’ doc. Colin Cowan was tragically killed in a car crash in May 1982. The Outcasts recorded sessions for Dave Fanning, John Peel (2x), Janice Long and Downtown Radio. Incidentally The Outcasts were the most requested act on Dave Couse’s recent ‘An Teach Solas‘. Check them out on facebook. Photo courtesy Museum of Radio Sessions.

Machine Gun (1981)

Hiroshima (1981)

Magnum Force (1981)

Beating and Screaming (1981)

Dave Couse – An Teach Solas (2012)

A cracker of a show on Sunday night from Dave Couse on TodayFM for An Teach Solas 2.0. Here’s the playlist and for the next 6 days you can listen back on the TodayFM website, parts one and two. Not sure I would have predicted too many of these choices but am certainly going to be listening back to this show.

The Movement – Tell Her (1967)
The Fatima Mansions – Blues For Ceaucescu
That Petrol Emotion – Candy Love Satellite
Sinead O Connor – Jerusalem
Rollerskate Skinny – Swingboat Yawning
Patrick Kelleher – Miracle Candle
The Frank & Walters – Franks Right
The Radiators From Space – Television Screen
Thin Lizzy – The Farmer (1970)
Gemma Hayes – Hangin Around
Whipping Boy – Favourite Sister
My Bloody Valentine – Strawberry Wine
We Cut Corners – The Leopard
And So I Watch You From Afar – A Little Bit Of Solidarity Goes A Long Way
The Outcasts – Self-Conscious Over You *
Brian – Understand
Taste – Same Old Story
Horslips – The Man Who Built America
The Infomatics – Wake Up
David Holmes – Gritty Shaker
A House – I’ll Always Be Grateful
The Brilliant Trees – Let It All Go
Engine Alley – The Flowers
Paul Clancy – Halo
Briana Corrigan – Angels Cradle
The Undertones – Julie Ocean
Sugar Shack – Morning Dew
The Blades – Revelations Of Heartbreak
The Pogues – Dark Streets Of London
The Divine Comedy – Tailspin
Maskedman – Stupid Earth Boy

* most requested band/song of the night

An Teach Solas (2012)

Ruefrex

Originally formed in 1977 in Belfast, Ruefrex became one of Northern Ireland’s most popular punk bands. It was a much changed Ruefrex that six years later on 11th July 1983 recorded a session for Dave Fanning. According to RTE records the band performed three tracks; ‘Paid In Kind’, ‘Correct Your Fireside Manner’ and ‘Wild Colonial Boy’. The official Ruefrex site lists four tracks ‘Wild Colonial Boy’, ‘Correct Your Fireside Manner’, ‘By the Shadowline’ and ‘The Ruah’. The lineup of the band on this particular track from 1986 was Alan Clarke (vocals), Jackie Forgie (guitar), Gary Ferris (guitar), Gordy Blair (bass), Paul Burgess (drums). In 2005 Cherry Red released a comprehensive best of album ‘Capital Letters‘.

In The Traps (1986)

An Teach Solas 2.0

Dave Couse (A House) has a TodayFM Sunday night show called The Lighthouse. Two years ago he did an all Irish special called ‘An Teach Solas‘. Dave has now decided it’s time to do a second show in the same vein and is asking his listeners to request their favourite Irish tracks. The show goes out in two weeks on St Patricks weekend from 10pm till midnight on March 18th. Dave has been known to extend the show if he doesnt manage to squeeze everything in and I’m hopeful this might be just one of those occasions. You can email him your requests or text TodayFM during his show next Sunday. He will not be able to play vinyl so if your choice is of that era he’ll need ample notice but he open to accepting MP3 submissions. Let the games begin..

Jerusalem Taxis (1991 Session)

Rollercoaster Records

From Kilkenny, Jerusalem Taxis were Malcolm Noonan (vocals), Kevin Conroy (guitar), Frankie Morgan (bass) and JJ Cantwell (drums). They recorded this Fanning session in 1991. Tracks courtesy JJ Cantwell. Kerbdog covered ‘Something In My Head‘ on the B side of their 1994 single ‘Dry Riser’.

 

Chicken Man (1991)

Fall Into Nowhere (1991)

Long Blue Tube (1991)

Big Self

From Belfast Big Self were Bernard Tohill (guitar, vocals), Jim Nicholl (guitar), Patrick Sheeran (bass, vocals) and Michael Morris (drums). This single was released in 1981 on Reekus Records but it also features on the upcoming 2 CD compilation ‘Too Late To Stop Now‘. Reekus Records was founded by Elvera Butler who was recently interviewed on Culture Cafe on RTE 2FM and 2XM where the show has a weekly slot. This particular recording was from Mickey Bradley’s ‘After Midnight‘ show which just celebrated 5 years. Mickey’s show has only one rule – he won’t play anything released after 1987. Incidentally Reekus is also the home of ‘It Makes You Want To Spit‘ the definitive story of Northern Irish punk a copy of which no self respecting home should be without. Incidentally Big Self’s ‘Ghost Shirts‘ was the theme tune for RTE’s ‘Visual Eyes‘ in 1985. Big Self recorded a Fanning session on 24th June 1985 featuring tracks ‘Swim’, ‘Guilty’ and ‘The Blue Boat’.

Surprise Surprise (1981)

The Cherry Brogues

From Clondalkin in Dublin The Cherry Brogues were active from 1991 until 1994. The band featured members Ray Gilligan, Ray Murray, Joe Rodgers, Des Connaughton and Phil Healy. They recorded a Fanning Session in December 1992 and this is the third track of five from that session. The band performed a reunion gig on July 2nd 2011 in The Grand Social. If anyone has the remaining 4 session tracks we’d love to hear from you..
Numbers In Your Heart (1992)

Scary Eire (1993 Session)

We’ve been on the lookout for this session for a while but watching the fallout from RTE TV’s ‘Ireland’s Rappers‘ was the spur to look again, a comment on the Irish Times ‘On The Record’ blog by Stevie Grainger rang true:

“I’ll never forget the buzz i got listening to the “Truncheon Song” by Scary Eire on the Dave Fanning show in the early 90s”

Formed in 1990 Scary Eire were a pioneering Irish hip hop outfit featuring Dada Sloosh, DJ Mek, Mr Browne and RiRa. In 2007 they released a compilation ‘The Scary Era’.

More reading: ‘Beats, Bodhráns and Bloody Mayhem – the story of Scary Éire‘ [state.ie]

Truncheon Song (1993)

Hold Yer Whisht (1993)

Lost For Words (1993)

The Donnelly Bros (Demo)

The Donnelly Brothers from Belfast featured here almost three years ago so it’s probably safe to post another track. Not quite sure of the title but it’s definitely not on the Myspace page so we could be looking at something reasonably obscure. I apparently saw the aforementioned brothers perform as they toured Ireland supporting The Wedding Present on their 1988 Irish tour. If anyone can confirm the song title and it’s origins we’d love to hear from you. Photo courtesy irishrock.org.

The Handicap Bus

Mark Cagney – R.E.M & Tom Waits album reviews (1987)

While watching the recent ‘A Little Bit TV’ RTETV50 profile on Mark Cagney I remembered that I had an old tape of a Sunday review show Mark had on RTE Radio 2 (as 2fm was known back in 1987). On the show in question Mark reviewed a number of albums I was interested in hence the recording. The albums reviewed were ‘Strangeways, Here We Come‘ by The Smiths, ‘Document‘ by R.E.M. and ‘Franks Wild Years‘ by Tom Waits. Two of the reviews were intact on the recording and you can hear these below. In case you missed and are retro inclined the documentary is well worth checking out. Mark Cagney’s Night Train was essential bedtime listening for a period in my formative years but I have no recordings of that show.

‘Document’ and ‘Franks Wild Years’ reviewed (1987)

At The Window (1987 Session)

It’s hard to believe this blog has been going so long and even harder to believe I never posted this before. At The Window featured 3 years ago with a personal favourite ‘State Aid‘ recorded as part of a Fanning session. That track struck a chord with other readers and recently seekenee managed to dig out some video footage of the band performing that song for RTE’s ‘Visual Eyes‘. Today I have what I believe to be a demo recorded by the band and broadcast by Barry Martin on Limerick pirate radio station The Sound Channel in the late 80s. I could be wrong as a number of unidentified tracks posted prove but my own handwriting states that this is At The Window so here goes. If anyone has any further details on the band please get in touch or even better leave a comment. Also thank you for the excellent comments on my recent manifesto. If anyone has any pull at RTE now is your chance.. Update: thanks to two readers we now have the band lineup, it was Nick Knight (guitars, pedals) Eamonn Lenihan (bass, vocals), Paul Lehane (drums) and a song title.

White Sheets (1987)

The Foreign Correspondents (1992 Session)

Formed in 1990 with all members based or from Navan Road/Cabra area, The Foreign Correspondents were Niall Nolan (vocals), Rory McGarry (guitar), Eamonn Kelly (bass) and Morgan Mullen (drums). They recorded a Fanning session in mid 1992 and three of those tracks ‘Abelard’, ‘Soulfish’ and ‘Rush’ can be heard below. The fourth song ‘Windmills’ is for now “lost to posterity”.

 

Abelard (1992)

Soulfish (1992)

Rush (1992)

Fanning’s Fab 50 (2011)

Updating with mixcloud links for the first 3 parts of the 2011 Fab50. Unfortunately we missed the final instalment..

50. R.E.M ‘Nightswimming’
49. Bob Dylan ‘Hurricane’
48. Neil Young ‘Heart Of Gold’
47. Elbow ‘Grounds For Divorce’ (48)
46. Florence & The Machine ‘Cosmic Love’ (34)
45. Lykke Li ‘Sadness Is A Blessing’
44. Bruce Springsteen ‘The River’
43. Joy Division ‘Atmosphere’ (41)
42. The Beatles ‘I Am The Walrus’
41. Thin Lizzy ‘Dancing In The Moonlight’
40. The National ‘Bloodbuzz Ohio’
39. The Verve ‘Bittersweet Symphony’
38. The Pixies ‘Where Is My Mind’
37. The Doors ‘Riders On The Storm’
36. Radiohead ‘Fake Plastic Trees’
35. U2 ‘Where The Streets Have No Name’
34. Jimi Hendrix ‘Purple Haze’
33. The Smiths ‘How Soon Is Now’
32. The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl ‘Fairytale of New York’
31. The Stone Roses ‘I Wanna Be Adored’
30. The Beatles ‘A Day In The Life’
29. New Order ‘Blue Monday’
28. Arcade Fire ‘Wake Up’
27. Oasis ‘Live Forever’
26. Bob Dylan ‘Like A Rolling Stone’
25. Arcade Fire ‘Intervention’
24. Kings Of Leon ‘Sex On Fire’
23. Radiohead ‘Paranoid Android’
22. Bruce Springsteen ‘Thunder Road’
21. Johnny Cash ‘Hurt’
20. Pink Floyd ‘Comfortably Numb’
19. Elbow ‘One Day Like This’
18. Jeff Buckley ‘Hallelujah’
17. Foo Fighters ‘Everlong’
16. Radiohead ‘Creep’
15. Snow Patrol ‘Chasing Cars’
14. Bruce Springsteen ‘Born To Run’
13. The Pixies ‘Debaser’
12. Pearl Jam ‘Black’
11. Pink Floyd ‘Wish You Were Here’
10. Smashing Pumpkins ‘1979’
9. The Smiths ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’
8. The Rolling Stones ‘Gimme Shelter’
7. The Stone Roses ‘I Am The Resurrection’
6. Led Zeppelin ‘Stairway To Heaven’
5. U2 ‘With Or Without You’
4. Joy Division ‘Love Will Tear Us Apart’
3. U2 ‘Bad’
2. U2 ‘One’
1. Nirvana ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’

And some of the ones that got away.. Yes these numbers don’t all add up I need to go back and double check. Dave seemed a bit all over the place, maybe he’s lost interest as well?

100. Derek & The Dominoes ‘Layla’
99. Avi Buffalo ‘Remember Last Time’ (2010)
98. Wilco ‘One Sunday Morning’
97. Metronomy ‘She Wants’ (2011)
96. The Sex Pistols ‘Anarchy In The UK’
94. The Buzzcocks ‘Ever Fallen In Love?’
93. Led Zeppelin ‘Kashmir’
92. The Smashing Pumpkins ‘Bullet With Butterfly Wings’
91. PJ Harvey ‘Let England Shake’ (2011)
90. Blur ‘Tender’
89. The Jesus & Mary Chain ‘April Skies’
86. Bon Iver ‘Skinny Love’
85. The Avalanches ‘Frontier Psychiatrist’
84. The Jam ‘That’s Entertainment’
83. Jape ‘Lying On A Deathbed’
82. TV On The Radio’Family Tree’
81. ? The Beta Band ‘Dry The Rain’
81. Flaming Lips ‘Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots’
80. The Pixies ‘Here Comes Your Man’
80. The Only Ones ‘Another Girl, Another Planet’
78. The Frames ‘Fitzcarraldo’
77. Bon Iver ‘Holocene’
76. Bob Marley ‘Jammin’
75. The Waterboys ‘Glastonbury Song’
74. Massive Attack ‘Teardrop’
73. Nick Cave ‘Into Your Arms’
67. Bon Iver ‘For Emma’
62. Rage Against The Machine ‘Killing In The Name’
57. The White Stripes ‘The Hardest Button to Button’
58. Manic Street Preachers ‘A Design For Life’
??. Sigur Ros ‘Svefn-g-englar’

Tony Clayton-Lea (101 Irish Records..) – Dave Fanning Interview

The author of the recently published 101 Irish Records You Must Hear Before You Die Tony Clayton-Lea is doing the promotional rounds and last Saturday appeared on Dave Fanning’s afternoon show. Here’s what he and Dave had to say on the subject..

Tony Clayton Lea (2011)

Donal Dineen: An Ode To Radio

Stayed up way way too late last night but was fascinated by this special broadcast on Donal Dineen‘s TodayFM show ‘The Small Hours’. In the show Donal talks of his early RTE career with ‘No Disco‘, moving to Radio Ireland with his ‘Here Comes The Night‘ show, working alongside John Kelly and finally the transition to TodayFM and ‘The Small Hours’.

Donal Dineen took part in a very special event as part of Culture Night 2011 .It was part of an overall night called Sounds Alive which was put together by Julian Clancy as something of an ode to radio; featuring special guests, interviews, stories, talk and performance from the world of radio.

For Donal’s contribution to the night he hosted a special live version of his Small Hours show, celebrating his adventures in broadcasting with his fans, some very special guests, and some incredible music.

The live show took part at Hello Operator and special live guests included Si Schroeder, Patrick Kelleher and Angkorwat- who dropped by for a chat about Arthur Russell. The show also features a rare interview with Donal – conducted by Julien- where he talks about his love of radio as a medium, what made him want to work in radio and memories of those early days at Radio Ireland.

This special radio event was sponsored by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Donal Dineen: An Ode To Radio (2011)

Here Comes The Night

Donal Dineen originally came to our attention as host of RTE2 TV music show ‘No Disco’. Since the launch of Radio Ireland in March 1997 he has been a stalwart of the Irish airwaves first with his show ‘Here Comes The Night’ (which followed the John Kelly hosted ‘The Eclectic Ballroom’) and latterly with his now TodayFM show ‘The Small Hours’. 14 years later on Thursday December 1st this show will come to an end. Tonight at midnight will see Donal’s last regular show playing records because tomorrow a recording of his “An Ode to Radio” show for Culture Night will air. Next week promises to be very special as Donal has lined up a long list of guests in studio including; Lisa O’Neill, katie kim, Cian Nugent, Sean Carpio, Sean MacErlaine, Niwel Tsumbu, Patrick Kelleher, catscars, Moths, Si Schroeder and Sunken Foal. The Small Hours Wake will take place on Friday December 2nd at The Joinery. Check out pieces from harmlessnoise, On The Record, Mick Heaney and a Hot Press interview from 2002. If anyone has any ‘Here Come The Night’ recordings they would like to share please drop us a line we promise to give them a good home. There are some ‘Small Hours’ shows and playlists on Donal’s TodayFM page as well as some ‘Fresh Air’ podcasts on iTunes. For the “Dineen motherlode” however check out smallhours.fm.

Limerick Live 95FM – Limrock: A Celebration

Irish music show ‘Green and Live’ presented by Alan Jacques on Limerick Live 95FM has been nominated for a Phonographic Performance Ireland (PPI) Award tonight. Alan’s Friday night show (broadcast from 10pm to midnight) was shortlisted in the ‘New Irish Music/ Musical Talent Programme’ category – for the third time in four years – for a special on Limerick music titled ‘Limrock: A Celebration’ broadcast back in May. The second hour of the show saw some current Limerick bands perform covers of some classic Limerick bands. The complete show is up on the Live95FM site.

Part 1 – Acoustic sessions

Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters – Little Black Marble
Brad Pitt Light Orchestra – Devil & Me (session)
Protobaby – State Of Affairs
Supermodel Twins – Hillary
Mark O’Connor – Kate Bush Hunting
Dead Red Light – We Waste Ourselves (session)
Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters – Throwing Shapes
Rubberbandits – I Wanna Fight Your Father
We Should Be Dead – Electric
Windings – Embury Greenway (session)
The Cranberries – Reason
Headgear – Halibut
Theme Tune Boy – The Devil’s Handmaid (session)
Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters – Hatch 16 (session)

Part 2 – Limerick Covers

Brad Pitt Light Orchestra – Killed It With My Bare Hands (session) [The Hitchers]
Johnny Duhan – The Voyage (session)
Keith Ford – Love At The Airport
Jimmy James – I Love You To The Bone
Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters – Spring Break (session) [Giveamanakick]
Last Days Of Death Coutry – Coming For You At Dawn
Dead Red Light – Jesus Loves You More If You Can Drive (session) [The Driven]
Brendan Markham – Serge
Woodstar – Dumb Punk Song
Theme Tune Boy – Up And At ‘Em (session) [Bandog]
Nick Carswell – Waking Up Is Hard To Do
Giveamanakick – Brittle Bones
Windings – Requiem For (session) [Medics]
Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters – That Old Chestnut

Limerick Covers

Blue In Heaven In Concert (1985)

This Blue in Heaven concert was recorded in RTE studio 1 in November 1985 and broadcast by Dave Fanning on his RTE Radio 2 (now 2fm) show over two nights. The concert was recorded by Paddy McBreen and produced by Julian Vignoles. With thanks to the listener, Owain from North Wales (yes Dave Fanning had a UK fanbase also) who dug this one out.

Talking to the One I Love
New Song
Hope to God
Julie Cries
I Wanna Be Your Man
Change Your Mind
Sometimes
Rolling in the Crowd
Tell Me
New Song
Old Ned
I Just Wanna

Blue In Heaven In Concert (1985)

Something Happens! – Too Long 12″

I believe these Something Happens! tracks are from the ‘What Now?’ 12″ (1990) which Dave probably played on his show on release. Something Happens are playing Whelan’s Dublin on 30th Dec 2011.

Too Long
Forget Georgia (acoustic)
Stuck Together With God’s Glue

The Fat Lady Sings (In Concert 1989)

Formed by Nick Kelly, The Fat Lady Sings released two albums ‘Twist’ (1991) and ‘Johnson’ (1993). A retrospective double album ‘The Fat Lady Singles’ (2005) was also released. Nick is now an award winning short film maker. His latest musical alter ego is Alien Envoy who’s album ‘Nine Lives’ (2010) was the culmination of a nine month ‘gestation‘ project. Thanks to some comments we can confirm this show was recorded for ‘Seven Bands on The Up’ from the SFX in 1989.

– be still
– fear & favour
– arclight
– contact
– deborah
– everywoman

In Concert

The Undertones (In Concert)

Photograph: Fin Costello/Redferns

Formed in Derry in 1975 by Feargal Sharkey (vocals), Damian O’Neill (guitar), John O’Neill (guitar), Michael Bradley (bass) and Billy Doherty (drums). The Undertones debut single ‘Teenage Kicks’, was released on Terri Hooley’s Good Vibrations label in 1978 and so enamoured Radio One DJ John Peel that he declared it his “favourite record of all time”.

when saturday comes
i don’t know
the love parade
untouchable
teenage kicks
chain of love
lets talk about girls
conscious
jump boys

In Concert (1983)